Tea Notes
"We once stayed in a farmhouse in Italy surrounded by bergamot orchards. One morning, sitting with our steaming tea, looking out across the orchard, we were enveloped by a soft breeze of bergamot.

"The tea wasn't Earl Grey, but the experience was. This tea recreates that moment for me. A generous amount of Italian bergamot, an embracing black tea and a moment back in Italy."

Peter HewittFounder

A Greener GoodTea Forte partners with organic farmers who practice sustainable agriculture. Organic farming is good for the farmers, good for the Earth and good for you. This box is made with 100% recycled paper and their tea bags are unbleached.

Did You Know?Bergamot is a small citrus fruit with a protruding nub like a navel orange. Earl Grey tea is flavored with oil made from bergamot peel, and has a distinctive taste loved by many. Earl Grey tea is named after Charles Grey, the 2nd Earl Grey and Prime Minister of England from 1830-1834. Legend has it that he received bergamot flavored tea as a gift after one of his men had rescued the son of a Chinese mandarin from drowning.

More Tea Info
All tea comes from the Camellia sinensis plant. How the leaves of the plant are processed and their level of contact with oxygen determines the type of tea. The more processing the leaves go through, the darker the leaves become, resulting in a distinctive color and taste characteristic. There are four main varietals of tea: black, green, white, and oolong. Tea contains substances called flavonoids, which are powerful antioxidant polyphenols. Antioxidant polyphenols help protect the body's cells from damage due to harmful molecules called free radicals. Regardless of the processing method, black, green, white and oolong teas all contain polyphenols. In fact, tea ranks as high as or higher than many fruits and vegetables in the ORAC score, a score that measures antioxidant potential of plant-based foods.

Black tea is a varietal of tea that has been cultivated for centuries. It is more oxidized than the green, oolong and white varieties. During processing, the leaves are heavily oxidized and fermented.

Tea Forte's black tea is made from fresh leaves, hand processed under high humidity to promote carefully crafted oxidation, and then oven-fired which turns the leaves a dark, coppery color to yield a superior complex and authoritative flavor. It has higher caffeine content and is stronger in flavor than the other tea varietals.

Benefits of TeaTea... The Healthiest Beverage on Earth
People have been exploring tea's health benefits for 5,000 years. Whether we are seeking mental alertness, protection against disease, or renewal of the spirit, we enjoy tea for many reasons. Research on tea and its health effects is underway in academic institutions and medical settings all over the world and many exciting leads have been uncovered. As more studies begin to test findings on human subjects we gain valuable information about how tea can help us in our own lives. None of the following information should be interpreted as or substituted for medical advice. It is simply a presentation of some of the promising findings presented in recent years.

The Antioxidant Story
Each day, we may be exposed to harmful influences -- foods high in fat and sugar, chemicals in the environment, cigarette smoke, and more. In response, our bodies produce unstable molecules called oxidants or "free radicals" that can damage healthy cells. The result can be chronic illnesses, immune system damage, organ disease, and other health problems.

Antioxidants found in foods like fruits, vegetables, and tea, can help to limit the effects of free radicals. The antioxidants combine with free radicals so they can no longer harm other cells. In this way, it is believed that antioxidants may reduce the occurrence and size of some kinds of tumors and inhibit their growth.

You will see many terms associated with antioxidants and tea that might seem confusing at first. They are all closely linked.

Antioxidants are molecules that slow or stop oxidants.

Polyphenols found in tea have strong antioxidant qualities.

Flavonoids are a type of polyphenol found in tea.

Catechins are a component of flavonoids. There are four types of catechins in tea. EGCG (epigallocatechin gallate) is the one discussed most frequently with regards to tea's health benefits.

How Tea Helps Our Bodies

Cardiovascular HealthSome of the benefits to heart health that have been suggested by early studies include lowering LDL cholesterol1 and improving the ability of blood vessel lining to expand when blood flow increases. Some believe that tea might also help lower blood pressure.

Immune systemAntioxidants may help to protect Immune System the L-theanine, an amino acid present in tea, may "prime" the immune system to help it fight infection, bacteria, viruses, and fungi. In addition, tea is rich in vitamins and minerals including B1, B2, B6, C, folic acid, magnesium, potassium, and zinc.

Cognition
Tea's amino acids may also help you gain a calmer, but more alert, mental state. The effect can last for 3 - 4 hours.

CancerEarly research suggests that some components of tea might help to reduce cancer risk. This is one of the most active areas of research currently.

Oral HealthTea contains a natural fluoride, encouraging healthy tooth enamel, and the flavonoids in tea may slow the formation of plaque by bacteria in the mouth.

Weight LossTea has no calories and helps to hydrate the body. Substituting unsweetened tea for sugary drinks like soda can be a useful tool in maintaining a healthy weight. It is also thought that tea can help to boost metabolism. One should not, however, believe claims that "Wulong" tea is "weight-loss tea." "Wulong" is simply another word for "oolong" and it has not shown any more, or less, impact on weight loss.

Bone HealthA study in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition found that older women who were tea drinkers had higher bone mineral density (BMD) than non-tea drinkers.

Organic IngredientsAll of Tea Forté's artisan crafted teas and infusions integrate only the highest grade, leaves, healthful herbs, fruits and flowers offering a symphony of botanical benefits, that deliver a diverse cup full of flavor and character. They source only teas that are 100% natural and do not contain petrochemicals, dyes, artificial fragrances or preservatives. Tea Forté is uncompromising in these principles and procure the finest, exceptional organically-grown ingredients that meet their standards when available.

Fair Trade TeasThe Fair Trade Certified Label guarantees consumers that strict economic, social and environmental criteria were met in the production and trade of an agricultural product. Fair Trade farmer groups receive a minimum price covering the cost of sustainable production and a premium to invest in social and economic development projects. Tea Forté is proud to offer teas and MINTEAS that support Fair Trade movement dedicated to building equitable and sustainable trading partnerships that create opportunities to alleviate poverty. The company stands in solidarity with the tea workers and empowers them by paying a pro-active premium which provides and supports fair wages and added benefits such as better housing, healthcare, education and a sustainable environment. In order to provide these benefits, Tea Forté's premium is up to ten times more than conventional prices paid by many tea companies. Your purchase helps protect fragile ecosystems.

Recyclable PackagingSupporting the preservation and improvement of the environment Tea Forté's boxes are made from 100% post-consumer recycled paper and printed with soy ink. Their MINTEAS and HERBAL RETREAT EnviroTins are made from steel, the most recyclable packaging material in the world. Steel is among the highest sustainable form of packaging as it is a completely and endlessly recyclable loop of steel to steel, with no loss of its original properties regardless of how many times it is recycled. The Environmental Protection Agency's reports that steel cans have the highest recycle rate of any materials, more than two-and-a-half times higher than that of most other packaging options followed by paper, paperboard, and then aluminum cans. Steel ranks as today’s most desirable, convenient, and environmentally friendly package.

Minimizing Tea Forté's Impact
Conscious of their ecological impact Tea Forté has chosen to hold ourselves responsible making every effort to minimize their supply chain and offset their carbon footprint, whenever possible, knowing that the preservation and improvement of the environment is a reflection of good corporate citizenship.

Tea Forté’s web presence is part of the a 100% Carbon Neutral Web Hosting Community, whose servers' electricity impacts on the environment are offset by Wind Power — reducing pollution and greenhouse gas emissions every day.

About Tea Forte

Founded in 2003, Tea Forté aims to capture the "Art of Tea". We’ve consulted with chefs and restaurateurs in culinary havens worldwide to create the most innovative and delicious blends of tea with whole leaf teas, rough-cut herbs and flowers. Our pyramid infusers crowned with our signature leaf, combined with our custom-designed accessories, elevates a cup of tea into an extraordinary experience for all of your senses.

Tea Forté unique products are available at fine retailers, restaurants, hotels and spas worldwide, as well as here on our website. So settle in with a cup of tea and explore our online store. Please don't hesitate to contact us if you have any questions or comments.

Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed by contributors of the product reviews are their own and not necessarily those of LuckyVitamin.com. LuckyVitamin.com does not endorse or imply any medical claims from these reviews. These reviews should not be taken as recommendations but rather customer opinions of the products that they may or may not have used. Reviews are not intended as a substitute for appropriate medical care or advice and are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Read the full product reviews disclaimer here.

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